CUSCO
PEN/SOLES
$475–$1,450 USD
Andean highland weather
Yes, with a few precautions. Peru is one of the most visited countries in South America and generally safe for tourists, including families. Stick to well-traveled areas like Cusco, Lima, and the Sacred Valley, use reputable taxis or rideshare apps, and keep an eye on belongings in markets or transit hubs. Like anywhere, common sense goes a long way.
May or September are your golden windows. These months offer dry weather, fewer crowds than peak season (June–August), and cooler, manageable temps for hiking or exploring with little ones. Avoid February — the Inca Trail is closed and rainfall is highest.
Expect to spend $50–$100 per day, per family, depending on your travel style. Budget stays and local meals are affordable (menus del día = your best friend), and many cultural sites have discounted or free entry for children. Planning ahead for big-ticket items like Machu Picchu or train tickets will help avoid last-minute fees.
Not the full trail — but there are great alternatives. The classic 4-day Inca Trail has a 12+ age recommendation and is physically demanding. Instead, try the 1-day Inca Trail, shorter Sacred Valley hikes, or simply take the train to Machu Picchu and explore the ruins at your own pace. Many families find these options just as magical — minus the blisters.
Peru is a land of layers, misty Andean mornings, vibrant highland markets, coastal cities full of life, and jungle air buzzing with birdsong. For families craving culture and nature (without maxing out the credit card), Peru hits that sweet spot. Whether you’re trekking to Machu Picchu with a snack-bribed toddler or trying your first pisco sour while the kids chase llamas, Peru is grounding, unforgettable, and genuinely family-friendly.
Planning a family trip to Peru? It’s doable, even with snacks, nap schedules, and altitude to factor in. Here’s your practical blueprint:
Choose Your Base(s):
Lima for museums and food, Cusco for culture and ruins, Sacred Valley for chill nature vibes, and maybe a jungle detour (if you’re brave).
Time It Right:
May–September is dry season and the best window for the Inca Trail. But even rainy season has fewer tourists and lush green scenery (just pack ponchos).
Budget Smart:
Use our Peru travel cost guide to help budget $50–$100/day per family, depending on your style.
Book in Advance:
Machu Picchu, Inca Trail, and domestic flights can sell out, especially from June–August.
Prep for Altitude:
Cusco sits at 3,400m. Build in acclimatization time before hikes — and hydrate like it’s your job.
Absolutely. Peru is one of the most affordable and rewarding countries to explore with kids. Public buses are reliable and cheap. Many museums offer discounts or free days. And you’ll eat like royalty on $3 menus del día.
Money-Saving Tips:
Stay Local: Family-run hostels and Airbnbs are often charming and cost-effective.
Eat Menus del Día: Hearty two- or three-course lunches for a few dollars.
Slow Travel Wins: Staying longer in fewer places reduces costs and travel stress.
Here’s a quick breakdown of Peru’s travel seasons:
May–September: Best for trekking and dry skies, but peak tourist season.
October–November: Shoulder season — fewer crowds, blooming landscapes.
December–March: Rainy, especially in the highlands, but lush and quieter.
Insider Tip:
If you’re not trekking, the rainy season can still offer incredible experiences with fewer tourists (just maybe skip February for the Inca Trail — it’s closed).
Layered Clothing: Mornings are chilly, afternoons sunny.
Comfortable Shoes: You’ll walk… a lot.
Altitude Essentials: Hydration salts, coca candy, or local tea.
Kid Gear: Small toys, snacks, and anything to survive the flight and bus rides.
Peru is chaotic in the best way — full of color, rhythm, and friendly faces. Kids will love:
Llamas & Alpacas: They’re everywhere and endlessly entertaining.
Trains to Machu Picchu: Feels like a ride into a fairytale.
Interactive Museums: Like Lima’s MALI or Cusco’s Inka Museum.
Hands-On History: Let them climb ruins, not just look at them.
Tips for Parents:
Bring snacks everywhere.
Say “sí” to street music and festivals.
Embrace the chaos. It’s part of the charm.
Cusco: Cobbled streets, chocolate workshops, and ancient ruins.
Sacred Valley: Relaxed pace, llamas galore, and Incan history.
Lima: Great food scene, coastal parks, and cultural spots.
Arequipa: White-stone charm and volcano views.
Lake Titicaca: Floating islands and boat rides the kids won’t forget.
Altitude Awareness: Don’t rush into the highlands — ease in.
Transportation: Use trusted taxis or apps like InDrive and Cabify.
Water: Stick to bottled or filtered.
Crowds: Watch belongings in busy markets and terminals.
Health: Bring basic meds and check vaccine requirements if jungle-bound.
We’re travelling Peru with two kids and backpacks, learning as we go. From an overnight border run into Máncora, to sandboarding Huacachina for Atty’s 8th birthday (220 soles well spent), to slow days people-watching in Ica over 36-soles menu del día lunches,this page is our practical, kid-tested guide to Peru. If you’re travelling to Peru with kids (or figuring out how to travel the world with a child without losing your mind), start here.
Best season: May–Sep (dry); Feb = Inca Trail closed
Our route so far: Máncora → Huanchaco/Lobitos → Ica/Huacachina → Paracas (ongoing)
Typical daily budget (family of 4): $60–$110 depending on pace
Sample costs we paid: Huacachina sandboarding 220 PEN (private/family); Veggie menu del día in Ica 36 PEN (for all of us)
Choose your bases
Lima (food/museums, easy flights)
Cusco + Sacred Valley (culture/ruins; acclimatise first)
Ica/Huacachina (desert adventure day trip from Ica)
North coast – Máncora / Huanchaco / Lobitos (warm surf, slower pace for kids)
Time it right
Dry season (May–Sep) for trekking; shoulder months Oct–Nov often ideal for families. Rainy season is fine if you’re not hiking—just pack ponchos and flexible plans.
Book ahead
Machu Picchu entry and trains sell out in peak months; buses are plentiful (we use Rome2Rio to plan and book).
Altitude plan for kids
If you’re flying Lima → Cusco, build 48–72 hrs of easy days. Hydrate, light dinners, and morning park time helped us most.
Intercity: Comfortable long-haul buses (we prefer night buses with cama seats). Our Lima → Ica day bus took ~6 hrs with heavy traffic—night would’ve been smoother.
City rides: In Ica, Uber beat street taxis on price (tourist mark-ups are common). In other cities use Cabify/InDrive.
With luggage + kids: Mototaxis are fun but tiny; we used regular taxis/Uber instead.
Yes. We’ve consistently kept daily spend to $60–$110 by:
Staying longer in fewer places (weekly Airbnb rates)
Eating menus del día (2–3 courses + drink for a few dollars)
Booking buses instead of flights for some segments
The clear family favourite so far has been sandboarding in Huacachina, the buggies feel like a rollercoaster and finishing at sunset turns the whole desert gold.
The train to Machu Picchu is another easy win; even before you reach the ruins, the ride itself feels like a storybook journey along the river. The kids have also developed a sixth sense for llamas and alpacas, spotting, naming, and inevitably trying to befriend every single one. And when it comes to culture, hands-on ruins always beat long museum days. Short climbs to viewpoints, scrambling over stone terraces, and simple “find this carving” games keep everyone engaged without forcing it.
We crossed in from Ecuador and used Máncora as a soft landing, warm water, easy beach days, and a good chance to reset the routine after a long bus. From there we dropped into Huanchaco and Lobitos, mellow surf towns that suit slow travel: morning sand play, simple seafood, and time to catch up on schoolwork without FOMO.
Next came Ica and Huacachina. We based in Ica for quieter nights and markets, then hopped 10–15 minutes to the dunes for the big day out. We booked our sandboarding through our Airbnb host, paid 220 PEN for roughly 2–3 hours, and it was genuinely kid-friendly (body-boarding style, not stand-up).
Post-dunes, a veggie menu del día at El Vegetariano and ice cream at D’Lizia hit the spot. We’ve also slotted in a Paracas day: the national reserve for wind-blown viewpoints and, if you want wildlife, the Ballestas Islands boat trip.
Altitude is the big one, when you land in Cusco, don’t schedule hikes on Day 1. We kept the first 48 hours slow, hydrated like it was a sport, and aimed for early nights. For rides, apps beat haggling:
Uber/Cabify/InDrive where available, and we always confirm the fare before getting in a street taxi. With water, we stick to bottled or filtered and carry a simple filter bottle to cut plastic when we can. In crowds, bus terminals, markets, festival streets, we keep valuables zipped and front-carried, take turns watching the bags, and move on if somewhere feels off. For health, we carry basics (pain relief, rehydration salts, antihistamine, plasters) and check vaccine advice ahead of any jungle plans. None of it is complicated, but doing these little things consistently has kept travel days smooth.
Is Peru safe for families?
Yes, with standard big-city awareness. We felt fine in Ica, Huacachina, and the north coast; use ride apps and avoid wandering late with luggage.
What’s a realistic budget for a family of four?
$60–$110/day depending on pace, lodging type, and activities. Our sandboarding tour was 220 PEN total; lunches in Ica were 36 PEN for all four.
Can kids handle the altitude?
Usually, with rest and hydration. Plan 48–72 hrs of easy days on arrival in Cusco/Sacred Valley.
Is Huacachina worth it with kids?
Yes—short, thrilling, and safe. Go for a 3–4 pm tour to finish at sunset. Base in Ica for quieter nights.
How do we handle transport without car seats?
Use larger taxis/Uber; request belts, avoid mototaxis with little kids. For long buses, choose reputable companies and cama seats.
Hi, we’re TravelVentureFour a not-so-ordinary family of four getting ready to swap routines for backpacks and Netflix nights for jungle hikes. We’re Sean, Tania, Atticus (7), and Aurelia (5), and in August 2025, we’re heading off on a year(ish) of slow travel through South and Central America. No trust funds here, just big dreams, small backpacks, and a whole lot of figuring it out as we go. Join us as we prep, learn, laugh, and probably get lost… a lot.
© 2025 Travel Venture Four. Inspiring family adventures across South America.